$28.4 Billion Dollar Hemp Industry Can’t Be Put Back in the Bottle ft Jim Higdon
03 October 2025

$28.4 Billion Dollar Hemp Industry Can’t Be Put Back in the Bottle ft Jim Higdon

The Dime

About

California wants to ban hemp. Texas is protecting it. Spritz and Big Alcohol are lobbying to crush it.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend? Not in the cannabinoid space.

The hemp industry stands at a crossroads. With federal clarity still missing, states pulling in opposite directions, and Big Alcohol leaning on lawmakers, billions are at stake in hemp’s next chapter.

This week we sit down with Jim Higdon, Co-Founder of Cornbread Hemp, to unpack it all

    The bipartisan letter signed by 27 members of Congress to protect hempWhy Gavin Newsom’s winery ties matter in the hemp beverage fightHow Big Alcohol is lobbying to crush hemp — and what comes next for a one-plant solution

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Current State of the Hemp Industry

03:04 Bipartisan Support and Legislative Challenges

05:46 The Path to a One Plant Solution

08:54 California's Unique Position in the Hemp Debate

11:57 The Impact of Alcohol Industry on Hemp Legislation

14:57 The Future of Hemp and Spirits Collaboration

26:03 Navigating Legislative Challenges in California

32:30 The Complex Landscape of Cannabis Regulations

35:25 Texas: A State in Legislative Limbo

39:01 Rescheduling Cannabis: Implications for the Industry

42:15 Innovative Partnerships: Normalizing Cannabis in Sports

Summary

In this conversation, Bryan Fields and Kellen Finney engage with Jim Hagan to discuss the current state of the hemp industry, focusing on legislative challenges, bipartisan support, and the path towards a unified cannabis solution. They explore the unique regulatory landscape in California, the impact of the alcohol industry on hemp legislation, and the ongoing developments in Texas. The discussion also touches on the implications of cannabis rescheduling and innovative marketing strategies, including sponsorships in sports, to normalize hemp products.

Guest Links:

    https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/https://hempsupporter.com/team/jim-higdon/https://x.com/jimhigdonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshigdon/

Our Links 

Bryan Fields on Twitter

Kellan Finney on Twitter

The Dime on Twitter

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